Backup point guard early question for Purdue women

April Wilson drives against Oklahoma State's Katelyn Loecker in the second round of the women's NCAA basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2014, at Mackey Arena. Purdue lost to OSU 73-66.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)Buy Photo

Story Highlights

Point guard April Wilson suspended by coach Sharon Versyp for two games

Louisville native averaged 10 points and 4.7 assists last season

Ashley Morrissette and Hayden Hamby expected to fill role as backup point guard

After April Wilson, who's the backup point guard on the Purdue women's basketball team this season?

Look for Ashley Morrissette and Hayden Hamby to fill that role.

Although Morrissette fits better at the shooting guard position, she'll provide relief to Wilson. Hamby isn't a true point guard, but can handle the ball and lead fastbreaks.

"The growth of her game has gone to another level," coach Sharon Versyp said about Morrissette, a sophomore. "We want her to be the shooter but she also has the handles and understands the game well. Hayden loves to push the ball. She likes the ball in her hands and likes to score and set things up, rather than shooting that 3."

Who's next in line becomes important, especially early in the season.

Versyp said Monday that Wilson is suspended for the Nov. 9 exhibition game against Findlay and the Nov. 15 season opener at Ball State after an alcohol and disorderly conduct arrest during Grand Prix weekend. According to Tippecanoe County court records, a diversion agreement was filed in June, and Versyp said Wilson has completed all other requirements.

"Everybody makes mistakes," Wilson said. "I'm fortunate enough to have a coach that believes in second chances. Giving me this second chance is rare and I've got to make the most of it and not go back down that road again."

Last season, Versyp was comfortable with multiple players bringing up the ball, especially in transition. Ideally, Wilson is the one leading the charge but Morrissette and Hamby will also have to fill that role.

Versyp attempted to recruit another point guard – Australian Kristy Wallace – but she opted to attend Baylor. Wilson is ready to handle the responsibility of being the team's only true point guard.

"I wouldn't say it's odd. I actually love it," said the junior, who averaged 10 points and 4.7 assists. "That's what I was born to do – to be a point guard. I love it."

Wilson began embracing the leadership responsibilities of the position when KK Houser suffered a knee injury toward the end of last season. It's carried over into the offseason workouts where the Louisville native is more vocal.

"I've been talking more, leading more, setting people up and helping the freshmen out," Wilson said. "When KK went out, she was a huge vocal leader for us. That experience is only going to help me that much more this season."

One of Wilson's objectives in the offseason was to improve her conditioning. She averaged 31 minutes last season, but that number is expected to increase with the lack of depth on the perimeter.

"I'm going to need to be lasting longer in the games," she said. "Just being an overall leader on the court and having a positive attitude when things aren't going our way."

The 5-foot-7 Wilson doesn't believe her attitude has been negative, but understands she has to be a leader, even during difficult stretches.

"I wouldn't say I've been negative but one of my main things is I don't rise to the occasion, I would say," she said. "I shut down a little bit. I don't talk. That's one of my biggest things – I need to talk all the time, whether we're up 30 or down 30. As an upperclassman and as a point guard, it's something a point guard needs to do."